Gnats rally in seventh for 5-3 win
Published on April 25, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Savannah Sand Gnats News Release
SAVANNAH, Ga. - Michael Hernandez and Darren Clark hit back-to-back doubles to spark a three-run rally in the seventh inning while John Holdzkom (1-0) and Josh Stinson pitched four scoreless innings in relief as the Sand Gnats beat the Rome Braves 5-3 at Historic Grayson Stadium on Friday night.
After Braves starter Jeff Locke held the Gnats to a run in six innings of work, Thomas Palica (2-2) entered in the seventh with a 3-1 lead. Francisco Pena led off with a single to center. After a passed ball allowed Pena to take second, Michael Hernandez, who was making his Savannah debut tonight, doubled to left to score Pena. Darren Clark followed with a double to right that scored Hernandez.
After Will Vogl sacrificed Hernandez to third, Matt Bouchard drove him home with an infield hit to give the Sand Gnats a 4-3 lead. Jordan Abruzzo provided some insurance in the eighth when he led off with a home run to left for his second homer of the year.
Holdzkom threw 2.0 scoreless innings for his first win of the season. Stinson pitched a perfect eighth and ninth to earn his first save.
A rare occurrence took place during the game in the eighth inning when Rome's third baseman Samuel Sime batted out of turn. Catcher Benji Johnson was originally supposed to leadoff the inning but Sime batted instead, resulting in an automatic out being charged to Rome and Sime having to bat twice. The play had no effect on the outcome of the overall game.
The Gnats and Braves face off again at 7 p.m. on Saturday Night for Pack the Park Night. Little league players dressed in uniform receive a free ticket to Saturday's game. Righty Scott Moviel (1-3, 8.56) will start for the Gnats while lefty Scott Diamond (1-0, 3.32) gets the nod for the Braves. For tickets and more information call 912-351-9150 or visit www.sandgnats.com
South Atlantic League Stories from April 25, 2008
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- Lakewood takes the second of the four game series - Lexington Legends
- Hoppers Fall as Stanton Collects Career-High, Three Hits - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Captains Topple Intimidators 7-5 - Lake County Captains
- Clutch hits provide Power victory - Charleston Dirty Birds
- Gnats rally in seventh for 5-3 win - Savannah Sand Gnats
- Hickory wins, 9-0 - Hickory Crawdads
- Tourists Vacate Greenville with 11-3 Victory - Greenville Drive
- Suns bats come alive against Grasshoppers, win 9-3 - Hagerstown Suns
- Birds Out-Hit WV 13-8, But Fall 5-2 - Delmarva Shorebirds
- Augusta Shutout in Hickory - Augusta GreenJackets
- Tourists To Host Pitch, Hit & Run Competition May 10 - Asheville Tourists
- Greensboro Game Notes - Greensboro Grasshoppers
- Suns Outlast Grasshoppers In 14 Innings - Hagerstown Suns
- BlueClaws to Play 500th Game at FirstEnergy Park - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
- Gnats Add Hernandez, Kawal Sent Down - Savannah Sand Gnats
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